The Gilmore Academy

The Adventures of Tom Sawyer – Mark Twain

Jackie Witkowski — Sun, 28 Jun 2009 19:00:42 +0000

Book #1: The Adventures of Tom Sawyer by Mark Twain.

So far, I am really liking it. Tom is a great character and I like the “endless summer of childhood” feeling it has.

Favorite Scenes:

When Tom gets all the other boys to whitewash the fence for him.

When Tom is trying to impress the new girl in town and then she throws him a flower.

Great Lines:

“Often the less there is to justify a traditional custom, the harder it is to get rid of it.”

“…a fly had lit on the back of the pew in front of him, and tortured his spirit by calmly rubbing its hands together; embracing its head with its arms and polishing it so vigorously that it seemed to almost part company with the body, and the slender thread of a neck was exposed to view; scraping its wings with its hind legs and smoothing them to its body as if they had been coat-tails…”

Pinch hit

Jackie Witkowski — Mon, 25 May 2009 23:51:51 +0000

I am crazy. I am one of those people that likes school. So, I signed up for a short 3 week summer class. That means that during the week, my schedule is as follows: Get up at 6:30. Work 8-12. School from 1-3:50. Eat dinner. Work from 6:30 to close (usually around 10:45). Go home and read/do homework. Hopefully asleep by 12:30. Go to bed. Start over.

I haven’t read any more of Tom Sawyer. I am picking a different edition of the book.

New copy of Tom Sawyer

New copy of Huck Finn

The reason I am changing copies is that the old one made me feel like I was reading for class. These are unabridged versions that look fun. They are marketed toward kids, which, let’s face it, I am one.

After June 8th…I am all about this reading thing. (I know, you’re thinking you’ve heard that before, but I’m serious this time!)

First up…

Jackie Witkowski — Wed, 06 May 2009 18:33:56 +0000

I decided to start with Tom Sawyer/Huck Finn. So far, so good, slow, but good.

This is the copy I am reading.

Episode 101 – Pilot

Jackie Witkowski — Wed, 06 May 2009 10:55:41 +0000

Here we go!!

Jack Kerouac – The Dharma Bums

(I know the show references On the Road later in the series, so I will start here.)

Mark Twain – Huckleberry Finn

(Might as well read Tom Sawyer, too, since I never finished it in high school.)

A Stephen King Novel

(Haven’t decided which ones to read…suggestions? I refuse to read “It” due to clowns.)

Rosemary’s Baby – Written by Ira Levin

Rosemary’s Baby – Directed by Roman Polanski

(Reference is actually Ruth Gordon, who won the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress in 1968)

Herman Melville – Moby Dick

Gustave Flaubert – Madame Bovary

Mommie Dearest – Written by Christina Crawford

(Out of Print, will look for a used copy)

Mommie Dearest – Directed by Frank Perry

Hans Christian Andersen – The Little Match Girl

Officer Krupke from West Side Story

Macy Gray

Eminem

Gilmore Girls Soundtrack

Favorite Line: “RuPaul doesn’t need this much make-up!” – Rory to Lorelai

Close 2nd: “I’m not a man who works with his hands.” – Michele to Lorelai

Favorite Scene: Sookie in the kitchen avoiding accidents with the help of the kitchen staff.

Hello!

Jackie Witkowski — Mon, 04 May 2009 02:34:15 +0000

Hello! As you may have read, I am currently trying to get an education in literature and pop culture by watching Gilmore Girls on DVD and reading/watching/listening to all the references made. I have come to calling it an education because books and iTunes downloads cost money and I would like to think I will hold some kind of honorary degree in Gilmoreism after this project is complete.

If you have seen the show, you know those ladies talk fast, so I have tried very hard to copy down every reference they make, but of course, I may have missed some. In addition to my recent (fictional) move to Stars Hollow, I am also a college student and have a full time job so I may not be as quick as I would like posting updates. I also am not sure what I will be posting; I hope it will become obvious as I go along. In the meantime, I am re-watching season one and taking notes. As soon as I have everything I need for the first couple episodes I will start the blogging. Thanks for stopping by!